Watertown man sentenced to 2 years in prison for trying to get meth materials

A Watertown man was sentenced Monday in Jefferson County Court to two years in state prison for trying to possess illegal drugs.

Edgar L. Richardson II, 36, also was ordered to undergo two additional years of supervision upon his release from prison after an Oct. 16 guilty plea to second-degree attempted criminal possession of a controlled substance.

He admitted that on May 26 he tried to possess materials used in making methamphetamine at a Bronson Street residence.

Mr. Richardson was sentenced as a second-felony offender, having been convicted in 2007 of second-degree attempted assault.

In that case, he had tried to injure a Watertown police officer during a traffic stop on Court Street. He was sentenced to two years in prison in that matter.

In other court activity:

Benjamin F. Olshfski, 47, Sackets Harbor, pleaded guilty to felony aggravated driving while intoxicated, second-degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle and a violation of the ignition interlock provision. He also admitted violating terms of an earlier conditional discharge. He admitted that he drove while intoxicated Sept. 22 on Interstate 81 in the town of Pamelia while his drivers license was suspended or revoked for a prior alcohol-related offense.

The charge was a felony because he was convicted of felony DWI in County Court in 2011 and sentenced to a conditional discharge, with orders to complete the Bridge program. He admitted violating terms of the Bridge program by being charged with the new crimes. He is expected to be sentenced Dec. 23 to 11⁄3 to four years in prison and a $3,000 fine, have his drivers license revoked and be subject to the interlock provision.

Jesse R. Davis, 18, Watertown, admitted violating probation and was resentenced to a year in the Metro-Jefferson Public Safety Building with credit for an unspecified amount of time served. He admitted violating probation by providing alcohol to minors in October and by continuing to use marijuana while under supervision. Information about why he was serving probation was not available from the court.

He was serving three years probation imposed in July 2012 after convictions on two counts of fifth-degree criminal possession of stolen property.

He admitted violating probation by continuing to use marijuana while under supervision and by being discharged from a substance abuse rehabilitation program before completing the program.

Michael R. Gillespie, 25, Watertown, pleaded guilty to second-degree vehicular assault and third-degree assault. He admitted that he was driving under the influence of controlled substances on Oct. 10, 2011, when he caused a car crash on Route 12 in the town of Rutland in which two people in a second vehicle were injured. He is expected to be sentenced Jan. 25 to six months in the PSB and five years probation.

Trae M. Wagar, 18, Evans Mills, pleaded guilty to fourth-degree grand larceny. He admitted that on Oct. 12 he stole a shotgun from Jordan Delaney, Evans Mills. He is expected to be sentenced Dec. 23 to five years probation.

John M. Merideth, 34, Watertown, pleaded guilty to first-degree aggravated unlicensed operation of a motor vehicle, misdemeanor DWI and a violation of the interlock provision. He also admitted violating probation by committing the new crimes.

He admitted driving while intoxicated Sept. 4 on Route 11 in the town of Watertown while his drivers license was suspended or revoked for a prior alcohol-related offense. He also admitted he was operating a vehicle that was not equipped with an ignition interlock device.

At the time, he was serving five years probation imposed in November 2012 after a fifth-degree criminal sale of a controlled substance conviction. He is expected to be sentenced Jan. 24 to a three-year conditional discharge and be ordered to complete the Bridge program. He also will be fined $1,000.

Shawn M. Switzer Sr., Adams, pleaded guilty to fourth-degree criminal possession of a weapon and petit larceny. He admitted that on June 24 in the town of Adams he illegally possessed a shotgun and that sometime in June he illegally acquired property belonging to someone else.

He is expected to be sentenced Jan. 24 to no worse than probation.

Leonard J. Ballenger, 39, Watertown, pleaded guilty to second-degree harassment, admitting that on Oct. 13 he had physical contact with a 15-year-old boy who held a refrain-from order of protection against him.

He subsequently was sentenced to time served.

Commenting rules:

Stick to the topic of the article/letter/editorial.

When responding to issues raised by other commenters, do not engage in personal attacks or name-calling.

Comments that include profanity/obscenities or are libelous in nature will be removed without warning.

Violators' commenting privileges may be revoked indefinitely. By commenting you agree to our full Terms of Use.